Crash victim remains in critical condition

Christopher Alvarado, right, the owner of the Hartland Township Mexican Fiesta restaurant, lost both legs in November when he was struck by a car while helping a motorist on Grand River Avenue in Genoa Township. He is pictured with his fiancee, Briana Cagle.(Photo: Amanda Enriquez)

Story Highlights

The family of a good Samaritan whose legs were severed when a compact sport utility vehicle struck him as he helped a motorist says helping others comes natural to the Howell father.

Christopher Alvarado, 36, the owner of the Hartland Township Mexican Fiesta restaurant, remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday at the University of Michigan Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.

“No one is surprised that he was helping someone,” step-cousin Amanda Marie Enriquez said. “That’s the kind of person he is.”

Livingston County sheriff’s officials said Alvarado was struck by a 2014 Honda CR-V while he pushed a disabled 2006 Buick LaCrosse into a Subway parking lot on Grand River Avenue near the 2|42 Church after it had run out of gas.

The Honda driver was distraught and cooperating with police, Sheriff-elect Michael Murphy said.

Police identified the 77-year-old Genoa Township driver Wednesday, but the Livingston Daily is not identifying him because he has not been charged in connection with the incident.

“No one is surprised that he was helping someone.”

Amanda Marie Enriquez

Murphy said the department would submit a report to the prosecutor’s office for review. The prosecutor’s office does not speculate on whether it will authorize charges.

Murphy said the Honda driver indicated that he “didn’t see” the stopped vehicle or the man pushing the car.

The LaCrosse driver, identified as Kasey Smith, 24, of Fowlerville, and her 2-month-old infant were not injured in the crash.

Efforts to locate Smith were not successful on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Alvarado’s family started a GoFundMe account to help with medical expenses.

Alvarado, whose fiancé is expecting the couple’s sixth child, is the owner of the Hartland Township Mexican Fiesta. His grandparents started the original Mexican Fiesta in Dearborn Heights and expanded to Hartland about five years ago.

A good Samaritan, identified as Christopher Alvarado, was struck by a 2014 Honda CR-V as he pushed a disabled Buick LaCrosse from Grand River Avenue to a Subway parking lot in Genoa Township on Tuesday, Nov. 15.(Photo: Gillis Benedict/Livingston Daily)